Friday, September 09, 2005

The Week in Ink, 9/8/05

I posted on The Engine, Warren Ellis's new online non-superhero comics community. I also posted a link to the ISB, so assuming anyone actually clicks on those things, I might get a few new readers.

The downside? All the cool kids are going to find out how much I love the Punisher.

Here's what I bought this week:

The Bakers #1: Kyle Baker is one of my favorite comics creators, and I will buy pretty much anything that guy puts out. This one's a quick read, a collection of short comic strips about family life that manages to be roughly eighty-five thousand times better than Family Circus, even the ones with Jeffy walking on the dotted line.

Fell #1: I'm not sure if he's still calling it "The Dose" or not, but Warren Ellis's two-buck comic-and-text format makes me a happy boy. Even though the story's only 16 pages, it feels like a good long read, thanks largely to Ellis wrangling it into a 9-panel grid. Templesmith's art comes off as moody and really enjoyable to look at. It's a shame he's not doing Ghost Rider, as those few images he did looked really good. Speaking of...

Ghost Rider #1: At least he's not wearing a turtleneck and riding a scooter this time. Ennis has some good ideas--I like the race for the gates of Hell every night--but between Crain's style and the usual bag of Ennis tricks ("He shoved that guy's head up his own ass! That's edgy!"), there's a lot standing between me and my enjoyment. But it's good enough to keep me buying for now.

Gotham Central #35: Excellent as always, but I think I might be the only one who wants a solo ongoing series starring Stacy, the girl who answers the phones and turns on the Bat-Signal. She's awesome.

Marvel Team-Up #12

Noble Causes #13: This is the book that completely changed my opinion of Jay Faerber, and I love it to pieces. Also, it has the hottest last page of this week's books. For the gents, anyway. Don't worry, ladies, you'll have yours at the bottom of the list.

The Punisher #25

Serenity #3

Seven Soldiers: The Guardian #4: I'm going to go ahead and say it: I want to get married to Grant Morrison. Guardian #3 (pictured at right) is one of my favorite comics ever, and this one's no slouch either. Between the secrets of the Newsboy Army, the terrifying evil of the Time Tailor, and the most "Hot damn!" inspiring last page this week, my love for this comic cannot be expressed by words.

Villains United #5

Y - The Last Man #37: This one's for the ladies. Annnnnd go! Cocky hero Yorrick Brown makes like a private dick, trying to solve the mystery of where his girlfriend's gone. Unfortunately, he pulls a boner and gets the shaft from some prick in a story you'd have to be nuts to miss. Also: Manberries.

And that's this week's comics. Do me a favor and leave a comment if you read this, wouldja? I'm trying to figure out how many people actually read this thing and how many are just here for the Marla Sokoloff pictures.

There now, don't you feel better after openly admitting your desire to be warm & snuggly with both John Cassady and Grant Morrison? Oh, I get it, you want John Cassady "Trapped in the Closet" when Grant Morrison comes home. R. Kelly, watch out!

You're gonna keep reading Ghost Rider? Do I need to pull out that TWO PAGE previews order you just did? Also know that I'm not going to be generous at all when you bring back Ghost Rider # 1 - 5 and want tons of credit.

the basics

"Chris works at a comic book shop so he reviews all the latest releases, but the real awesomeness lies in his ability to find obscure or forgotten comic books and write hilariously sarcastic reviews that make fun of them. They deserve it!"--Blair Butler on G4 TV's Attack of the Show!